France’s fate matters to Europe and the world at large. France is the world’s fifth-largest economy (and the second-largest in Europe, after Germany), so what happens in the country impacts growth for the region overall. It is critical for all of Europe for France to get its act together and its economy moving. That, however, is not happening.

The French economy has been in gradual decline for years, without any President or administration having done anything decisive about it. But now, ignoring the problems is no longer an option.

Le gouvernement français n’a plus de majorité au sens strict à l’Assemblée nationale. Cela implique que pour chaque vote majeur, un travail de compromis et d'équilibrisme devra être fait par le gouvernement pour réussir à faire passer son texte. En particulier, ce sera probablement le cas pour chaque loi de finances: loi de finances annuelle, collectif budgétaire, lois de finances rectificatives.

Le gouvernement dispose de huit outils pour réussir à gouverner sans majorité?

The OECD member countries have adopted a Recommendation with Principles for Transparency and Integrity in Lobbying as guidance to decision-makers on how to promote good governance in lobbying. Public officials and lobbyists share responsibility to apply the principles of good governance, in particular transparency and integrity, in order to maintain confidence in public decisions.

Priority Checklist

1. Do all stakeholders have fair and equitable access to the development and implementation of public policies?

1. GR Practitioners should comply with any relevant Lobbying Rules. Where any conflict exists between a Code of Ethics and Lobbying Rules, GR Practitioners must abide by the Lobbying Rules.
2. GR Practitioners should comply with any legislation, government resolution or rule relating to donations to political parties and any other matter.

Conflicts of interest have the potential to undermine or compromise the impartiality, credibility or trustworthiness of a GR Consultant due to the possibility of a clash between the Consultant’s self-interest and a professional interest, or their public interest, or their client’s interest. A GR Consultant must avoid situations of conflict of interest, or situations that have the appearance of conflict of interest

Without a permanent office in Brussels, Australian companies and associations have their activities limited to bilateral dialogue mechanisms, or joint participation with larger corporate entities.

1. GR Practitioners should know the limit and scope of their professional knowledge and offer services only within their knowledge and skill base.
2. GR Practitioners should  seek appropriate consultation and supervision to assist in decision-making when there are legal, ethical or other dilemmas.
3. GR Practitioners should act with integrity, honesty, genuineness, and objectivity.
4. GR Practitioners must refrain from any conduct which may prejudice the reputation of the GR profession.

By Pyotr AKOPOV (Views expressed are his own)

" President Vladimir Putin and President Petro Poroshenko’s upcoming summit in Minsk will be the first in-depth meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine in six months. During that period Ukraine has become embroiled in a civil war and teeters on the verge of an economic meltdown – but officials in Kiev continue to blame everything on Russia.

European Public Affairs Awards (EPA Awards) as they are called are plentiful in Brussels.  It’s almost like Hollywood! These Awards aim to unite the Public Affairs community to celebrate excellence and best practices across the industry. They distinguish 8 categories: 1. Campaign of the Year 2. Consultancy of the Year 3. Digital/social Media Champion 4. Public Affairs professional of the year 5. In-House team of the Year 6. NGO of the Year 7. Rising Star of the Year 8. Trade Association/Professional body of the Year.